Miller to back public campaign financing

ANNAPOLIS — Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller Jr. is expected to join other lawmakers and the group Common Cause to express support for public financing of elections.

The House of Delegates has passed public financing several times in the past.

The Senate's Education, Health and Environmental Affairs Committee approved the legislation in 2007, but it failed when the full chamber voted.

Miller has opposed the idea, in part because of the expense. Advocates are expected to announce a compromise that would not draw money from the state treasury.

Miller (D-Dist. 27) of Chesapeake Beach will be joined by education committee Chairwoman Joan Carter Conway (D-Dist. 43) of Baltimore, Sen. Paul G. Pinsky (D-Dist. 22) of University Park and representatives of Common Cause and Progressive Maryland.